Money & duty free for Tunisia

Exchange rates:

Tunisian Dinar€1 = TND2.18£1 = TND3US$1 = TND1.95

Currency & Money

Currency information:

Tunisian Dinar (TND; the symbol DT is also used commonly within Tunisia) = 1,000 millimes. Notes are in denominations of TND30, 20, 10 and 5. TND5 bank notes are now rare. Coins are in denominations of TND5 and 1, and 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 millimes. The 10 and 5 millimes coins are not commonly used but are still legal tender.

Credit cards:

Credit and debit cards using the Visa or MasterCard network are accepted as payment in larger tourist orientated stores, and many midrange and luxury hotels, as well as at most car hire agencies and established travel agencies. American Express and Diners Club are only accepted in a few places in tourist areas and shouldn't be relied upon.

ATM:

ATMs are widely available in tourist resorts and in most towns. Most ATMs are linked to the Visa network though a few, such as ATMs connected to the Bank of Tunisia, also accept Maestro. It is important to always have a small emergency cash fund at hand while travelling in Tunisia for the times when the ATM rejects your card, or simply doesn't work, which can be a quite frequent occurrence, especially once you're away from the coastal resort areas.

Travellers cheques:

Officially travellers cheques should be able to be cashed at any bank or bureau de exchange. In reality, many banks (except larger branches in cities and tourist areas) will refuse to exchange them. You will be charged commission on every exchange. If you do want to take travellers cheques the most convenient currencies are Euros and US Dollars.

Banking hours:

Mon-Thu 0800-1200 and 1400-1630, Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1630. During July and August and in Ramadan (the Islamic holy month of fasting) banks open for the shorter hours of Mon-Fri 0800-1130.

Currency restriction:

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, but large amounts should be declared and the amount exported must not exceed that declared upon arrival.

Currency exchange:

You can exchange foreign currency at banks, bureau de exchanges, and at post offices. Exchange rates are fixed so there should not be any difference in the rate you are offered wherever you choose to exchange. Bring your passport along as it will usually be required if you want to change money. The easiest currencies to exchange are British Pounds, Euro and US Dollars.

Tunisia duty free

The following goods may be imported into Tunisia without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco.
• 1L of alcoholic drinks over 25% volume and 2L of alcoholic drinks less than 25% volume.

Banned imports:

Prohibited items include local currency, firearms (other than authorised hunting weapons), explosives, narcotics, counterfeit goods, used clothing (other than for personal use), palm trees and branches, henna, dangerous dogs, and anything considered harmful to good morals, health, public safety or state security.

Restricted items include professional audiovisual material, some telecommunications equipment, plants and animals, hunting rifles, and weighing and measuring instruments.

Banned exports:

Local currency, antiquities and artworks, firearms (other than authorised hunting rifles), explosives, narcotics, counterfeit goods, endangered species, and anything considered harmful to good morals, health, public safety or state security.